Brigitte Ruth Shaw

Born on January 12, 1935, in Berlin-Charlottenburg to Clara Schleger and Max Langkavel, Brigitte’s early years were shaped by the upheaval of World War II. She spent her childhood in Schlesien (near present-day Javor, Poland) and later in Düsseldorf during her young adult life. There she trained as a seamstress before pursuing her Industrial Business Management “Industriekaufmann” degree.

In 1959, after a long-distance courtship with Oklahoma-born teacher Irvin Leon Shaw, she moved to California, marrying him just one month after her arrival. Together they welcomed two children: Carrie Ann (born 1960) and Mark Clifford (born 1966). Brigitte and Irvin shared 23 years of marriage until he passed from cancer in 1982. She also survived the loss of her mother in 1986, facing each season of hardship with the resilience that marked her entire life.

Brigitte’s professional path was extraordinary. What began as a skilled trade evolved into a distinguished career in diplomacy. She served as a high-level executive assistant (OMS) in the U.S. Department of State, supporting Ambassadors and senior diplomats at postings worldwide, to include Riyadh, Vienna, Stuttgart, Singapore, Bonn, and Berlin. Her precision, poise, and ability to navigate complex cultural settings made her a trusted presence wherever she served.

Beyond her career, Brigitte built a world defined by creativity, playfulness, and generosity. She designed and sewed her own clothes, crafted amazing quilts that now live in homes across the globe, and brought joy to countless Bridge partners and competitors. As a Grand Life Master in Bridge, she won several hundred tournaments—a testament not only to her skill but to her love of connection and spirited competition.

Her faith also shaped her journey. Raised in the Lutheran tradition, she became part of the Church of Christ in 1986 and remained active in church life and Bible study communities for decades.

After retiring in 2000, Brigitte settled in Longmont, Colorado, where she continued her Church, Bridge, and Quilting Group activities until moving to an independent living facility in Greeley in 2021. She was well known for her humor, warmth, storytelling, and generous spirit reflected in her many handmade gifts.

Brigitte is survived by her two children, Carrie and Mark, who cherished her strength, wit, and fearless love she carried through every chapter of her life.

Honoring her wishes, Brigitte will be cremated and laid to rest at the Colorado Fort Logan National Cemetery beside her husband and Navy Veteran Irvin Shaw.

She leaves behind a legacy of resilience, service, creativity, and love—a life shaped by hardship, lifted by faith, and carried across continents with courage and grace.